While many of us ride our bikes all year round, for others it’s a leisure activity best enjoyed on sunny days.

It’s slightly different this year though. You might have noticed, but the coronavirus pandemic has blown apart our normal and while we are legally, in some parts of the country at least, allowed to go out and ride for leisure (although officially we are also told to stay at home if we can) the current situation means that we need to approach our riding in a slightly different way just now, making better plans to account for the reduced facilities that are currently open. Some of these are common sense, and things that you may be doing anyway, but we thought it’s worth revisiting them in these unusual times…

Water/snacks

Probably the main thing to consider is taking sustenance with you when you go on a long-ish ride. Hydration is so important, and even more so in summer, when your body produces even more sweat to regulate its temperature. Failure to hydrate properly can lead to a loss in concentration, which can obviously have a negative impact on your riding.

The main restriction when it comes to riding during the pandemic is that group gatherings are not allowed. Usual bike haunts are likely to be closed too, or open only for takeaways, and those places where you can get something to eat are likely to be running at reduced capacity.

We’d always recommend taking some water and a few snacks with you anyway, but even more so just now. Of course, places will be open – takeaways, supermarkets and garages, for example, but it’s likely that there will be queues to get in. Take some emergency sustenance with you and make a quick, solitary, break during your ride when you need to. No-one’s saying don’t stop for fish and chips, but do make provisions in case you find that planned stop is closed or too busy.

Hayfever

Hayfever sufferers know how tough, and dangerous, it can be to ride when you suffer an attack. Streaming noses and sneezing is not a good combination any time, especially when riding a motorcycle, so it’s always best to plan ahead and expect the worst.

This is the same whether it’s a pandemic or not, but it’s even more important in these times to plan ahead, as nipping into a supermarket for some pills is rarely the two minute task it once was.

You’ll know what works best for you, but many find taking medication the night before works well, while having some baby wipes (to clean your eyes and nose during the day) and a nasal spray is useful when you’re out on the road.

Cleaning equipment

Sunny weather means flies, and the need to keep your visor clean. The aforementioned baby wipes do a good job of cleaning down your helmet and headlight, and there are other dedicated products out on the market too.

Remember that toilets will be harder to find. Many garages will only be serving through the night hatch, meaning that their facilities are closed. Many public toilets too will be closed, so plan in advance.

Hygiene is even more important than ever, so taking some sanitation products with you is important. Sanitising gel and alcohol wipes are easy to carry around and should be used to keep clean and follow the advice to ‘wash your hands’ when you stop and touch surfaces, such as petrol pumps, benches and items in shops.

Sunscreen and hat

If you’re planning on stopping, to take some exercise or simply relax, it’s important to remember the sunscreen and a hat. Just as dehydration will affect your riding, a bout of sunstroke should certainly not be in your script.

Again, this is standard advice for any ride out on a hot day but it becomes even more important in these restricted times, as there’s no opportunity to find a quiet café or pub to recover in, or even a hotel to stay overnight at if you get really ill.

Good bike maintenance

Again, it should be standard practice but the need to be on top of bike maintenance is more important than ever. Make sure your bike is in the best shape it can be before you set off but accept that stuff happens which you can’t help, so try to envisage ‘what if…’

What would you do if your bike becomes inoperative when out on a ride? Not all the usual options will be available to you. Public transport will be limited, social distancing rules might mean that friends won’t be able to come and rescue you. Facilities where you might normally take shelter might be closed and even being given a pillion ride home with someone from outside of your household is not allowed within the guidelines.

Have a think about these implications before setting off and consider getting breakdown cover if you don’t already have it. If you can, have a chat with others in your household to discuss how you would deal with any issues when out on a ride and remember that old adage of ‘all the gear, all the time’ is more relevant than ever before. No matter how hot it is, make sure you wear proper protective riding gear, which may help you be able to dust yourself down and carry on in the event of a minor incident.